Usually I just see pineapples at the supermarket but last year I noticed they were growing on the grounds of the Jupiter Lighthouse. That made me curious. Can they really be grown here in Florida? Shortly afterwards, my Mom mentioned she had saved the top of a pineapple she bought at the grocery store, and potted it for me. I finally got around to planting it in the backyard this past weekend.

Each night now, I head into the backyard, flashlight in hand, to check on it, and make sure no nutcase squirrel, armadillo or mole has attacked it. And I’m kinda addicted to the thought of it.

Apparently pineapple plants adapt to the warmest areas of Florida, along the SE and SW coasts. But lucky for me they can also grow in protected locations/landscapes throughout Florida. The optimal temperature for growing pineapples is 68-86 degrees (F). Temperatures below 28 degrees (F) aren’t tolerated, and slow plant growth may occur as a result of temperatures below 60 degrees (F) and above 90 degrees (F).

How to Grow Your Own Pineapple

According to the FloridaGardener, it’s easy to grow pineapples from store-bought fruit. Simply:

Cut or twist off the pineapple crown.

Allow it to dry for a day or two.

Plant in sandy, well-drained soil (or container; see below), and in full sun if possible.

Water weekly. Pour water into the vase-like top.

Once plant is established, pour a cup of balanced, diluted water-soluble fertilizer into the top of the plant monthly. Avoid getting dirt or sand into the buds at the top of the plant as it may kill it.

Container Planting

Choose a 3-7 gal. container with drainage holes. The larger the container, the greater the potential for a large plant and fruit.

Fill container to within an inch or so from the top with well-drained potting soil mix.

Water the soil mix before planting the plant (you should see water draining from the drainage holes).

Plant pineapple crown in the center of the container, then water (in the vase-like top of the crown).

Place container in full sun for best growth.

Pineapples are slow-growing, but if you’re going to buy a pineapple to eat anyway, instead of throwing the top out, why not give this a try?